One of the things I have my students do in my body image class (and I also do it with retreat and workshop participants, too) is write a wellness prescription. A wellness prescription is a way for you to decidedly name what makes you feel totally well in the world- physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally- so that you have a list of the numerous ways that you can and should be taking care of yourself. What does a wellness prescription have to do with self-acceptance and body love? I find that when we are deliberate about noticing what makes our body and soul feel good and then we give it to ourselves, it increases our sense of well-being because we have concrete evidence that we are capable of taking care of ourselves. Too often, we think that we can’t take care of ourselves and so we don’t try. Doing little things that really add up and do show our ability to care for ourselves can be a game changer.
Today, I want you to drink at least fifty ounces of good old fashioned water (not water with Crystal Light; not flavored Vitamin Water, just regular old water). If you aren’t accustomed to drinking so much water, start early and try for about 4-5 ounces every hour. Why the water? Our bodies are 60% water and we lose some of that during our daily activities. If we aren’t diligent about replenishing the well (I know, I know, I couldn’t resist), then our body’s functionality diminishes. Drinking water helps everything run smoother and helps us feel more energetic. It’s an easy way to give our body some love while allowing our whole self to benefit.
1. How much water do you typically drink in a day? Was it a challenge to drink at least 50 ounces of water? How did the water itself make you feel?
2. How did it feel to do deliberately embrace caring for your physical self in this way? What did you learn about the benefits of deliberately taking these sorts of steps?
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I do pretty good with the water generally, but mostly because every one of my 24 oz bottles has a crystal light in it. I will work on cutting down- may be every other bottle without it. I like the flavor & not drinking calories, but i know that they chemicals aren’t good for me.
This particular challenge, on this particular day, was very meaningful. Just yesterday I set a goal for myself to start drinking more water again, and to quit drinking icees. I have gotten into the habit of walking down to our local grocer, who has icees, from work…we can fill our cup free all day. I only fill it once, but I’ve noticed that I’ve come to depend on this icee to help me relax and unwind after a long, tiring day at work. This is not bad if that is my choice, but I’ve been doing it on auto pilot, and at the expense of drinking enough water.
So, as of yesterday I made the decision that I would not have an icee anymore unless I was going to get it, sip it, and enjoy it. Not use it to “zone out”…not to drink it on auto pilot. At the same time I decided to start drinking more water again. When I drink plenty of water, I notice a remarkable thing. My skin, which has become much drier since I turned 50, is so dry…and some days no amount of lotion helps. However, when I keep myself well hydrated on a daily basis, with water, it makes my skin softer, from the inside out, and I don’t need so much lotion. Drinking enough water helps our skin feel and look younger and healthier, I think.
So, I accept this challenge and will work hard at completing it!
1. How much water do you typically drink in a day? Was it a challenge to drink at least 50 ounces of water? How did the water itself make you feel?
I drink about 4 litres of water a day, and then there is all the herbal tea I drink. So it wasn’t a challenge at all – I love drinking water. I stopped drinking all soft drinks 2 years ago, and I never missed them. I drink a glass of water as soon as I get up in the morning, and then keep on drinking!
2. How did it feel to do deliberately embrace caring for your physical self in this way? What did you learn about the benefits of deliberately taking these sorts of steps?
As I’d already been doing this for some time, it wasn’t really a deliberate move. But I do enjoy it, and I am glad to have banished all soft drinks, including all the aspartame sweetened junk, from my glass.
I’m a water fiend. I drink between 64 and 128 ounces of water a day, normally. I notice quickly when my water is out of whack. I rarely drink anything that isn’t water–except for my single cup of coffee in the morning, and some green tea. Thanks for this reminder to be deliberate with my care for my body.
I usually drink a ton of water. However, this summer has been incredibly busy and i’ve let myself become very dry. This challenge reminded me to get back to taking care of myself in at least this way.
So today I started re-hydrating. Not sure how much I actually drank. But i am beginning to feel better. Thanks for the reminder.
1. How much water do you typically drink in a day? Was it a challenge to drink at least 50 ounces of water? How did the water itself make you feel?
I *try* to drink 2L of water a day (64 ounces), but generally I only get about 1.5L. It wasn’t too difficult to drink a little more! I was actually feeling very sluggish this afternoon and realized I was likely dehydrated, so I chugged a bunch!
2. How did it feel to do deliberately embrace caring for your physical self in this way? What did you learn about the benefits of deliberately taking these sorts of steps?
I also *try* to make a concerted effort at self-care, but I can hit or miss with that, too – I seem to always end up last on my priority list.
I drink lot of plain water. 64 ounces a day are far not enough….
I just cannot imagine drinking less water and more soft drinks or so. Water is just my normal beverage, thanks to my parents who authorized us to drink only 1 soft drink a week as special treat.
My consumption increased in my 20’s, as my blood pressure went down. Drinking at least 2 glasses of water for breakfast really pushes my blood pressure high enough to feel awake… I let my doc check if this was OK, and yes for my needs and my body, I can go on this way.
And when I’m struggling in the office, I drink one glass – not only helps the short break a lot, but also my brain is thankful for the re-hydratation. I heard that a lack of only 2% of water in your body results in a loss of efficiency of 20% – scary… but so easy to countersteer.
Great effort on the water, ladies!